On Camera, Girl Returning From Coaching Shot Twice By Stalker In Faridabad

In a chilling stalker attack near the national capital, a man opened fire on a 17-year-old girl at Ballabhgarh in Haryana's Faridabad district, about 40 km from the Delhi border. The teenager has been hospitalised with two bullet injuries, and police are looking for the shooter.

According to preliminary reports, the shooting took place at Ballabhgarh's Shyam Colony last evening. The teenager was returning from a coaching class when the man shot at her. It is learnt that the shooter, identified as Jatin Mangla, had been stalking the girl and she had spurned his advances.

Shocking visuals captured by a CCTV camera in the alley where the attack took place show the shooter waiting for the target. He is seen standing next to a bike. He appears to be hiding something in his bag. 

As soon as the girl appears in the frame, the attacker, gun in hand, walks to the other side of the lane and opens fire. Two girls accompanying the 17-year-old flee in panic as the shooter fires twice. One bullet strikes the 17-year-old on her shoulder, and the other grazes her abdomen. As she winces in pain and cries for help, the shooter takes his bag and speeds away on his bike. The girl's friend, shaken by the attack, runs towards her to help. 

Police said the weapon used in the crime has been recovered, and a search is on for the attacker, Jatin Mangla. "Preliminary inquiry reveals that the accused is known to the victim. The girl has recognised the accused. We have registered an FIR. Police and Crime Branch are searching for the accused," a police spokesperson has said.

The victim's sister said she is preparing for her board exams and would return home from the coaching through the same route daily. "He was waiting for her, you can see in the CCTV footage. As soon as he saw her, her fired," she said.

Jatin, she said, had aimed for the heart, but she raised her hand to protect her. "The bullet went through her hand and hit her shoulder." The teenager's sister said Jatin had been stalking her for a few days. "We contacted his family. His mother pleaded with us and said he won't do it again. So we let it go. And the next day, this happens. What kind of country are we living in? This took place just a kilometre from our home."

Asked why the family did not register a police complaint against Jatin after he started stalking the girl, her sister said, "Her family was pleading. We should have (registered a complaint), but we didn't."